burritos

This Christmas we'll have a party that I typically drive to. It's about 8 miles through a mountainy road to my boss's house. Dinner will let out at around 10 PM. There will be wine and beer. I could theoretically bring a backpack with clothes and a wipe. But I think it'll be seen as a move that yells, "Looking for attention," which I don't think I am doing. Any excuse to bike though...

Notso_fastLane

I probably would not on an occasion like that. I have in the past, when my bicycle was my only transport, though.

debade

My decision would be based on safety, not appearance. It is a mode of transportation and if people want to make judgements, it is their problem. They will figure it out one day.

I worked hard to get more people to bike to work. Finally, the President led a ride during bike to work week. That was the only time most people biked but it showed an interest.

Encouraging your work place to become a Bicycle Friendly Business per the League of American Bicyclelists might be worth pursuing.

BobbyG

I bike to work year-round and in the dark, 9 miles each way changing into office clothes that I bring with me. So in as much as the distance, staying "fresh" and changing into clothes I've brought, I could and would do it. And I have biked to meals and get togethers with friends.

Since I'm married and my wife doesn't ride more than 3 miles at a crack, I couldn't ride to a party with her (even with a tandem).

But seriously, I would do it with these reservations...

1) How well do you know this "mountainy road"? riding an unfamiliar road can be problematic during the day, but even more so at night. What kind of "blind" corners and "blind" hills are there. Is there room for two vehichles? Two vehicles plus a bike? What are the shoulders like, if any? Do drivers speed on it? If it's dirt or gravel stopping times will be lengthened. I suppose you could do some reconnaissance with your bike or car beforehand.

2) How visible are you? Do you have adequate night gear like lights and reflectors?

3) How close to Christmas is this? There may be plenty of drunk and impaired drivers out there who won't be expecting a bicycle out there on the "mountainy road".

4) Will you yourself be drinking? Biking while blotto can be dangerous.

5) If everyone is leaving around the same time and you leave among the first, will co-workers be able to pass you on this "mountainy road" or will they be backed up behind you crawling impatiently at bicycle speeds instead of car speed. That would not win you any friends at work.

6) If a co-worker of your preferred gender and sexual orientation desires a post party rendezvous, will you be able to fit your bike in their vehicle? If not, is the destination one you can ride to and still be in shape to "participate". And if so, will the amount of time it takes to rendezvous so great "interest" will be lost? (You could always catch a ride without the bike and fetch it later).

Darth Lefty 

You know the part in Nutcracker where Herr Drosselmeyer arrives?

burritos

I've done it up and down several times. Never at night. Good bike lanes on the straight sections but in the windy part for about 1 mile, there's room for two vehicles. If there's a bike, it's kind of squeeze, no bike line. There's even a 'share bike' sign in the lane painted on the ground. I'm not going to take the lane and go 5 mi/hr up a hill for a mile. I squeeze to the right. Too windy for cars to fly by. When I go downhill, no one passes.
Front/rear lights/wheel reflectors.

Early December.

2-3 drinks. I weigh 130lb.

No. Windy road is between my boss and my house. Everyone else will go the opposite direction towards freeway access.

Am married. She's not going.

BobbyG

Okay...I'd go!

diphthong

the 150 or 33 or 23 or another road?

viperocco

Your reasoning is sound.

Darth Lefty 

In history times, people used to ride things called horses, which are like e-bikes but made of meat, to fancy dress parties all the time. Will there be a servant there when you arrive to take your bike? And another for your coat?

burritos

https://www.citizensjournal.us/ventu...-lane-project/

Portrero road between Newbury Park and Sherwood.

RashidD

Probably not. As you said, it could be seen as an attention grab.

diphthong

haven’t ridden it with the new improvements yet but have ridden it in the past. pretty area. missing out on that gnarly western end climb/descent is for the best. i don’t recall a really objectionable stretch where you’re describing and wouldn’t be opposed to doing as you’re contemplating. it would likely help to give it a test-ride at night in the next few weeks during the time frame you plan to be returning home from the shindig. perfect night riding weather now.

Jim from Boston

Do you(would you) ride a bike to a dinner evening party?

Quote:

Originally Posted by burritos

This Christmas we'll have a party that I typically drive to. It's about 8 miles through a mountainy road to my boss's house. Dinner will let out at around 10 PM. There will be wine and beer. I could theoretically bring a backpack with clothes and a wipe. But I think it'll be seen as a move that yells, "Looking for attention," which I don't think I am doing. Any excuse to bike though...

Quote:

Originally Posted by RashidD

Probably not. As you said, it could be seen as an attention grab.

I have previously posted to this thread: “Getting to a business or social event”

Quote:

Originally Posted by CatJim

I wasn't sure if here or commuting was a better place. I chose hear as it isn't a regular commute.

Does anyone have tips for getting to a business or social event? Basically, how do you not show up needing a shower to a date or a company happy hour or similar?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston

I’m a decades-long year-round commuter, 14 miles one way, here in Metro Boston. In my job I work pretty much solo, dressed in surgical scrubs, and I clean up before I leave home, so day-to-day presentation is no big deal.

However, if I need to get to an IMPORTANT business function, or social event, sometimes work-related, even black tie, I’ll just take more conventional transportation, because if I ride, I ride hard.

I have posted: in fact when my wife and I go dancing dressed to the nines, we could take a subway, but prefer to drive.

Bicicletta89

Now that it’s getting cooler I find I don’t sweat a lot unless it’s a hard ride. If it weren’t up tons of hills I think it’d be fine for me.

still, I wouldn’t bike in a suit, but “nice casual” clothes sure.

Koyote

OP, you must really be a planner -- to be worrying about a party that is three months in the future.

Are you even sure it will happen? Parties aren't a good idea during a pandemic. Shoot, one of the advantages of Covid is that I probably won't have to go to an office holiday party this year.

Darth Lefty 

For the past three years my employer has held its "Christmas" party before Thanksgiving in order to put it ahead of a scheduled layoff date as they gradually downsized here and moved jobs across the country. Fun, it hasn't been.

Daniel4

Actually I did. The evening events were not formal. They were with friends and coworkers and they would be at a time where there was still daylight when they ended.

PaulH

It sounds as if it is out in the country, with ample parking and low traffic. Therefore, a bike is not necessary and a car would suffice, If roads were salty, I would probably ride to keep my car from rusting.

Gresp15C

I've ridden my bike to dinner parties, picnics, the symphony, opera, and a protest march.

The only time when I'm in formal attire is when I'm also bringing a musical instrument.

Phil_gretz

I understand that you meant this as humor, but...

You'll have to cite references for a statement like that. This would likely have been the rare exception rather than the rule.

More likely that for a "fancy dress party", attendees were brought in closed carriages or coaches drawn by horses. Even frontier folk in America used wagons for basic transport unless speed was the primary need. For anything "fancy" (the operative word), then better clothing would be worn.

For the OP, the operative principle is to honor the host and hostess. Would your arrival by bike, and any distraction that this might bring to the guests, be dishonoring to the hosts? If so, reconsider your plan. If not, enjoy yourself, but be presentable so as to not to be seen as disrespectful of the occasion or of others. Check your motives.

Darth Lefty 

I did mean it as humor. I thought about several other ways to extend the joke too, like that couples and families need a carriage, but single men are more likely to arrive on horseback a bike. Or that classy people are more likely to have driven while poorer are more likely to walk. Or that making a splash might be the actual goal, and that it is ok goal to have, as long as it's not rude to the host, as you say. But you won't know if it's successful until it's too late.

The real answer to the original question is, "No one will even notice or care unless you tell them."

nomadmax 

Ride a bicycle 8 miles home after attending a Christmas party after 10pm?

No

During that time of year at that time of night too many people are driving after drinking alcohol or using drugs. It isn't worth the risk, to me.

Darth Lefty 

^^^ oh that's a good point

When we found her Christmas morning
At the scene of the attack
She had hoof-prints on her forehead
And incriminating Claus marks on her back
---
I've warned all my friends and neighbors
Better watch out for yourselves
They should never give a license
To a man who drives a sleigh
And plays with elves

noglider 

I've done some weird things on bike. I'm a quirky person. I rode to a concert that I performed in, wearing my full tuxedo. I got some laughs from pedestrians, and that was part of the fun.